Definitely a juxtaposition of characters, yet the passion both have are present throughout. Ken reminds me of a music remixer. I really enjoy listening to music remixes.
This was a great find, Marie, and "remixing" is very apt for what Ken is doing with his blends.
Yeah, I don't have any issue with remixing tobaccos. I like it, and already do it with tea at home for myself. There is a learning curve with nuance though, but that is with any creative fusion IMHO. I do sense it is better to just be on the table about it though which I perceive he is doing...we see remixing (and also being inspired to create something new fusing the strands that have been weaved before us) in the visual and music arts all the time.This was a great find, Marie, and "remixing" is very apt for what Ken is doing with his blends.
Do you have his name in quotations because it's a pseudonym?
My order of KBV just arrived (Dark Fired Cherry, Moriarty and Hand of Gotz), and a seperate package with a couple Meer cobs. Yeah, this interview was fun to watch. Ken is definitely a Gen X-er (I am too). Loved the New Wave nod. I am not sure how much longer he will be selling custom blends though...the business has a way of stepping all over the creative impulse sometimes. He might want to consider selling a book of all the artwork for each year. I'm sure some big fans would buy those to collect.
I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.
People who know him back when he was on Reddit and Facebook, under the aliases "Fuzzy Totemz" and "Fuzzy," and, in the latter, using his real name, know that Ken Byron is a pseudonym. He is a charming and intelligent guy, especially when projecting to the larger public. Let's just say that people who know him well have a mixture of opinions, and the camp I fall into doesn't have a very favorable one.
Yeah, I heard about some of that. Social media doesn't tend to bring out the best in us. Still, he makes some pretty good micro batch blends, which is all I care about. I'm not planning to adopt the guy.
Yeah it was great when people had a mold concern on a blend he released a few years ago (I was a purchaser) and his response was to laugh at everyone voicing the question.
That doesn't sound like a way to keep a business thriving. Especially when word of mouth is your best way to advertise. That is one of my concerns about buying bigger quantities of tobacco if I find one that I really like. I've read in several areas about folks dealing with mold issues.
Most companies/retailers will make it right. The response was very off putting.
Yikes! So it looked fine upon opening for everyone and then after 1-2 weeks there was visible mold growing? Was it narrowed down by the buyers as to why this happened...like existing mold spores already in the tobacco waiting for the right conditions to thrive?
